Is it legal to collect water charges by drilling wells in the village?

Legal analysis: drilling wells requires procedural approval, and it is illegal to drill wells privately, and charging is even more illegal.

Legal basis: Article 36 of People's Republic of China (PRC) Water Law. In areas where groundwater is over-exploited, local people's governments at or above the county level shall take measures to strictly control the exploitation of groundwater. In areas where groundwater is seriously over-exploited, with the approval of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, areas where groundwater exploitation is prohibited or restricted may be designated. The exploitation of groundwater in coastal areas should be scientifically demonstrated, and measures should be taken to prevent land subsidence and seawater intrusion.